Piedmont High teacher disciplined for inappropriate behavior toward students resigns

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An overflow crowd of Piedmont parents and students pack the Oct. 25 Piedmont Unified School District Board of Education meeting to criticize the school board and the superintendent for allowing Piedmont High School history teacher Mark Cowherd to return to teaching. Cowherd, who was placed on leave Thursday by the district, resigned, school officials announced Friday. (Photo by Paul Kuroda)

PIEDMONT — Mark Cowherd, the Piedmont High School history teacher who was investigated by the school district and disciplined for inappropriate and unprofessional behavior toward students, resigned Friday.

In a letter, Superintendent Randy Booker and the entire Piedmont Unified School District board announced Cowherd’s departure, a move that comes as the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the incidents involving Cowherd.

Cowherd’s resignation comes two days after Wednesday’s emotional school board meeting, when parents voiced outrage that he was back teaching as of Sept. 25 following a three-week leave of absence while the Piedmont Unified School District investigated the allegations.

Cowherd was again placed on administrative leave Thursday, the day after the packed meeting.

“We appreciate the courage and conviction of the students who shared their experiences, everyone who participated in the meeting, as well as those who shared their views through calls and emails to district staff and school board members,” the letter stated.

On Thursday morning, the letter said, “our administrators spoke with all high school students to reaffirm our commitment to supporting their social, emotional and academic well-being.

“We recognize that these events have deeply impacted our community,” the letter continued. “With this community’s support, we will help our students through this transition and will encourage them to use their voices for themselves and for each other.”

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In an Oct. 24 letter, Booker said the allegations included making comments interpreted to be sexual in nature; sending inappropriate texts, messages and emails; asking students to meet personally and privately; and touching, grabbing or holding students by the shoulders, heads, elbows and backs.

The school board was expected to take up Cowherd’s case in closed session next week.

“I’m relieved that Mr. Cowherd spared PHS students and the district further turmoil by resigning, but I’m concerned about the stranded students and deeply disturbed that the district has no policy requiring training in sexual harassment prevention,” said Piedmont City Councilman Tim Rood, a parent of a Piedmont High School student.

Some parents contended that Cowherd’s behavior was allowed to go on for years, and that students, especially females, were afraid to speak out.

The district began investigating Cowherd after a complaint was filed earlier this year by recent graduates of the high school.

In announcing Cowherd’s resignation, the district said it was working to identify substitute and permanent teachers for the affected history classes, as well as to assist seniors with pending letters of recommendation for college applications.

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